Coal Kidz

I know it's a rainy day when the kids are antsy to go outside but can't and get into lots of trouble like in this picture. I had JUST swept and mopped the floors and cleaned the bathroom, when these two munchkins decided to play in the coal bucket and get black coal dirt everywhere. They had to take a bath (right after I snapped the picture, of course), making the clean tub all dirty again...and we wonder why we don't get much done all day!

He Is For You!

Excerpts from Psalm 27:
The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is The Stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
...my heart shall not fear...I will be confident.
...He will hide me in His shelter...
...my heart says to You, "Your face Lord, do I seek. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead
me on a level path."

Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage.

(30 day challenge- memorize Psalm 27 with me in the version you are comfortable with)

BELIEF @ LAST!

For the first time in my life, I BELIEVE I can accomplish my fitness goals. I have always started and stopped when the work got too hard. Or indulged in bad-for-me-foods and vowed to start over again the next week. This has been my life. I am grateful to my trainer, Nisan Trotter, for believing in me and pushing me far past my comfort zones to help me build strength and belief. I am thankful that he is a devoted Christian and told me one morning, that he had already prayed for me that morning.

The last 7 weeks have seen some high points and some low points. I did lose 3 more lbs. this week, bringing my total to -16 lbs. since New Year's!!!!
There have been SO MANY DAYS that I've wanted to quit or come up with an excuse big enough to not show up. Andy has lovingly encourageded me to push past the obstacles and I have started to actually look forward to staying in this for the long haul. My trainer said, "Having a strong mind is just as important as having a strong muscle." He also says in his Alabama way, "Get Yo Mind Right!" As my belief grows, my eating habits change, and my body follows by stepping up my game and moving faster than I have moved in years and years.

During today's workout, we did a particularly challenging set, and we earned a 1 minute rest. I was huffing and puffing and as I looked to my right, I saw the co-trainer, Yorellis Trotter, doing a bunch of sit-ups. I said, "Nisan said we could rest!" She replied, "I can't rest, I am burning calories. If you want to rest you can. You don't have to win the transformation trophy or that Kindle Fire, or that Bella makeover, it's fine!"
YIKES! I laughed at her for a few seconds then got down and started doing sit-ups rather than taking the rest of the rest. This is the kind of thinking that I need to push me past my mental limits! It's the kind of motivation that helped Yorellis lose 45 lbs so far!!!
I know I have many, many more pounds to lose to even begin to get into the "healthy" range, but starting somewhere is the first step. My Dr. has been keeping close tabs on my progress. I have had some disappointing Dr. visits lately. He is so excited that I am exercising and losing weight, but my health is still at a dangerous place. If you think about it and remember, I'd appreciate as many prayers about this as possible. I'm nervous about the future, but I can only do my part, trust my Dr. & fitness trainer, and let God work His will in me. I have lived in denial for so long that my body is reaping the consequences of the neglect. As I hear results and new info my from Dr., I may feel more comfortable to share more. For now, I thank each of you for your outpouring of support through cards in the mail, texts, emails & words of encouragement. I love being part of the body of Christ. We are family, and I thank God for you!

Plank Pickin'

Wonder if Sadie & her Grandpy Plank will schedule any guitar-pickin' gigs? :)

The kids were thrilled to be blowing bubbles in their chocolate milk at Grandma's house.

Playdate Fun

The last 2 days, I have helped out a friend by watching her kids as she works. My kids have LOVED having friends to play with. The kids are the same ages as my kids, so they are in mostly the same stages.
Today I walked all 4 kids and the dog to the local park.
The boys decided our mini ping-pong table would make a perfect train table. The kids all played great together, but it did give me a taste of what 2 pairs of twins would be like! whew! :)

Donut Day Blues

Who doesn't love a great donut!? I sure do. I've decided not to make or eat any today though so I don't ruin a good run at losing weight each week since Christmas. I am going to eat a donut each time I 20 pounds. (7 lbs. to go) A donut is usually more calories than I should eat for a meal, so I know I can't justify it right now. We all sacrifice something right? We either sacrifice now by eating clean and healthy exercise or pay later with Dr.visits and meds...I have no desire to be fat this Tuesday.

Halfway There...

This week was the half-way mark for the transformation challenge at Trotfitness.
And while I wouldn't say the pounds are exactly melting off like butter, this week's victory was the weight of 2 lbs. of butter!!
I was worried about the weigh-in this morning, since I know I had eaten pasta & garlic bread one night for supper, pizza & chips another etc. I was careful throughout the daytime, but wasn't as careful for suppers. I did work hard at working out though, and even did a mile on the elliptical at home on my "off day." It all paid off, and makes me realize I could be doing even better with a little more "FIT"- Frequency, Intensity, & Time put into my fitness goals.
I'm so encouraged and excited about so many of you telling me you are on this journey with me! Keep up the great work! We are doing what a lot of people would never even try!
You have to remember your "WHY." It's not going to feel good, be easy or convenient, but what is motivation enough to change? It will be different for all of us. Dig deep and remember what is worth the fight for you.
(6 Week Self-pic)